Two Blocks from the White House

There has been no shortage of news coming out of the White House this summer, and things are about to ramp up even more. From the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S., to the war in Iran and midterm elections in November, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter are back together to give you the lowdown on what to expect in the next few months.

From boycotting U.S. products, to avoiding travel across the border, to political trash talk – the mood in Canada in relation to the U.S. is definitely "elbows up" these days. But have Americans even noticed they’re in a trade war with Canada? CBC's Washington correspondents Katie Nicholson and Louis Blouin join host Willy Lowry to unpack what they heard in Ohio and Iowa about the escalating tariffs and counter-tariffs, and how Americans feel it could impact their lives and their votes.

Days after walking away from trade talks with the U.S., Canada has hit back with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on American goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he cut off negotiations because Washington's terms could wipe out major Canadian industries like auto, steel and aluminum. As things start to get ugly, Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter dig into how bad this trade war is going to get, and what it would take to bring both sides back to the table.

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on.

Recently, in the U.S., there’s been a wave of self described democratic socialists running for and winning elected office. So what exactly is democratic socialism? How does it differ from socialism, communism, or social democracy? Why has it returned now? And what does its resurgence reveal about this hour of history?

More episodes of Front Burner are available everywhere you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/FBxTBFTWH

Abdul El-Sayed's recent win in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is being hailed as a major victory for the party's progressive wing. The former public health official's campaign took on the party establishment with a much smaller budget and a considerably more left-of-centre platform than his opponent. But as other Democratic socialist and leftist candidates win primaries, some political watchers aren't convinced they'll lead to victory in this fall's midterm elections. We’re asking: What does this say about the direction of the Democratic Party — and about who might become the presidential candidate in 2028? This week, Washington correspondent Katie Simpson is joined by Front Burner host Jayme Poisson and Bloomberg senior White House reporter Josh Wingrove.

It’s said ‘history is written by the victors,’ but what if the victor is U.S. President Donald Trump?

A new executive order is calling for signs to be installed outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History warning visitors about “inaccuracies” in the exhibit – the latest move by the Trump administration to rewrite how history is explained in public institutions.

Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and guest host Jayme Poisson take a look at the different ways Trump is trying to reshape American history, and why it’s become part of his politics. 

Listening to U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada can’t do anything right these days. From the costs for the Gordie Howe bridge to wildfire smoke to a new round of tariffs, the relationship between the two countries is under renewed scrutiny from the president and U.S. lawmakers. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley dig into what might be fuelling this ramped-up focus on Canada, and what it might take to turn the page.

The U.S. trade war with Canada escalated on Monday when President Donald Trump announced that his administration would be imposing new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports in 30 days' time. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley explain everything we know about these new tariffs and ask what they mean for the strained U.S.-Canada relationship.

Three major news stories about the U.S. Senate are sparking questions about the upcoming fall midterms. Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry discuss the death of Republican Lindsey Graham, the ongoing absence of Republican Mitch McConnell and the campaign collapse of Democratic senate candidate Graham Platner.

U.S. President Donald Trump earned at least $2.2 billion US in his first year back in the White House in 2025. American historians say no previous sitting president has ever earned quite as much, so what ethical questions does this level of presidential profit raise? This week, Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and guest host Katie Nicholson explore how Trump made money in crypto, how it compares to past presidents’ earnings and how much it matters in the end to voters.

Canada Day marks an important deadline for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The trilateral trade deal is up for a mandatory review this year. While Canada and Mexico would like to extend it for 16 more years, it’s not clear what the Trump administration will do. With so much at stake economically, there’s no shortage of anxiety. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Paul Hunter and guest host Peter Armstrong ask: What happens after the July 1 deadline? 

Note: this episode was taped on June 30.

America’s top court is set to deliver decisions on more than a dozen major cases in the coming days. And with rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes and the Federal Reserve on the docket, there’s a lot at stake as the U.S. president’s agenda is tested by the justice system. This week, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter ask: How far will the Supreme Court allow Donald Trump to go? 

With a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war on the table, this week we're checking in on some key parts of the MAGA coalition, from conservative women at Turning Point USA Women’s Leadership Summit to the mostly male crowd at U.S. President Donald Trump’s UFC birthday bash at the White House.  

To hold onto power, the Republicans will need Christian women and young men to come out for the U.S. midterm elections. Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Louis Blouin ask: How are those groups feeling about the GOP after months of war and high gas prices?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this week. With Canada, Mexico and the United States co-hosting, America and Israel at war with Iran, plus midterm elections around the corner, it's an undeniably political world event. In this episode, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dive into the politics of sport and ask: Can Trump ride the World Cup wave? 

It’s the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, and so far planned celebrations range from a UFC fight at the White House to a concert series featuring 90s rapper Vanilla Ice. But with musical acts dropping out citing polarization, tension over the ongoing Iran war and sky-high gas prices, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: How do you have a birthday party if no one’s in the mood to celebrate?

From a $1.8 billion US fund for Donald Trump allies, which some critics call a 'MAGA slush fund', to retribution for Republicans who have spoken out against him, the U.S. president is pushing his personal agenda amid declining approval ratings and with the midterm elections right around the corner.

This week on Two Blocks from the White House, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Louis Blouin ask: How far can Donald Trump go before paying the political price? 

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs this week. It’s being called the end of an era, and some critics say the cancellation of the iconic late night talk show represents a broader attack on dissent during Donald Trump’s second administration. This week Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: What, if anything, does Colbert’s cancellation say about the state of free speech in Trump’s America?

From UFOs to 'missing scientists', fringe ideas and conspiracy theories have come to the forefront during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration. This week, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dig into the long history of conspiracy theories intersecting with American politics. Has Trump made conspiracy theories mainstream?

The race is on to redraw U.S. electoral districts after a landmark Supreme Court ruling last week on the Voting Rights Act. The court neutralized a longstanding piece of the voting rights legislation — a change that could have huge consequences for future U.S. election results.

The 1965 Act was designed to ensure African American representation in Congress, but in a 6-3 decision, the top court ruled that a congressional map in Louisiana was unconstitutional because the state gave too much consideration to race when drawing up its voting districts.

Following the court ruling, many states began redrawing existing electoral maps, with Florida passing a gerrymandered map giving Republicans more of an advantage in the state just hours after the Supreme Court decision was released.

CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry unpack what the ruling could mean for U.S. politics.

Our Washington correspondent Paul Hunter was in the room at the White House correspondents’ dinner when shots rang out. Today on Two Blocks from the White House, he shares new details about the scene. Fellow correspondents Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry bring us the latest on the suspect. As the political fallout continues, we ask what a third alleged attempt to assassinate Donald Trump says about the state of America.

Paul Hunter was at the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting on Saturday. 

We're working on a new Two Blocks from the White House episode on the fallout from the shooting, to drop on Wednesday. But until then, here’s Paul speaking with Front Burner host Jayme Poisson about what happened when shots rang out. 

From a gigantic arch set to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, to the deployment of National Guard troops, to the construction of a massive White House ballroom, the face of America’s capital city is changing during Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president.

And while some critics have dismissed Trump’s projects as garish, the president is undeniably leaving his stamp on the historic district. Today on Two Blocks from the White House, CBC’s Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and Katie Simpson report.

Today we’re talking about how U.S. President Donald Trump's touch is backfiring, both at home and abroad, as Trump loomed large over two recent international elections. 

On Monday, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney clinched a majority government, a win being attributed in part to widespread anti-Trump sentiment among voters.

And over the weekend in Hungary, Trump’s close ally and fellow right-wing populist leader Viktor Orbán was defeated after 16 years in power in a landmark election. Just days before that, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance was in Budapest campaigning for Orbán on behalf of the Trump administration.

CBC’s Washington correspondents Willy Lowry and Katie Simpson, along with Radio-Canada’s U.S. correspondent Louis Blouin, report on the volatile value of Trump’s brand.

The world held its breath Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure if Iran did not meet a deadline that night to open the Strait of Hormuz. Then, the same day, he accepted a Pakistan-brokered deal for a two-week ceasefire.

After inciting outrage and then abruptly halting the war, what exactly has Trump accomplished in Iran? CBC’s Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter try to find an answer.

Reporting on U.S. politics sometimes means leaving D.C. From war in Iran to whirlwind diplomatic meetings in France to a moon-bound mission in Florida, the CBC's Washington correspondents trade their seats two blocks from the White House for a trio of windows into the world. 

Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter take us behind the scenes on their reporting and share what we can learn about the biggest stories in American politics and Canada-U.S. relations when we look at them from an outside of Washington perspective.

Winning is a word U.S. President Donald Trump likes to hear, and while midterm elections are months away, the November vote is definitely driving his decisions today. 

With the cost of living and gas prices continuing to soar, the midterms are a chance for voters to weigh in on whether Trump has delivered on his promise to put America first, considering his administration's war with Iran and other operations stretching beyond the U.S. borders.

CBC's Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and Katie Simpson bring us up to speed on how the midterms are influencing the political calculus, what they're watching for and why the outcome of this vote is so crucial to Republicans and Democrats alike.

“WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!” This post by President Donald Trump is one of the many mixed messages sent from his Truth Social account this week. It contrasts with his earlier appeals for world leaders, including NATO countries such as Canada, to step up and help defend the critically important Strait of Hormuz. 

As the war in the Middle East enters its third week, CBC’s Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Paul Hunter and Katie Simpson take a look at Trump’s attempts at political peer pressure and how world leaders are responding to his ever-shifting demands.

Correction: In a previous version of this episode, during the listener question segment, we miscalculated the number of Senate votes needed to impeach the president. Two thirds of the Senate would equal 67 votes, not 60 votes as was stated. This has been corrected.

As the U.S. war in the Middle East continues, gas prices are on the rise and American voters are paying attention. Affordability remains a key issue, and President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war on Iran is drawing criticism not only from Democrats, but from within his MAGA base.

As the November midterms approach, will the war overseas lead to a referendum on the Trump administration at home?

CBC’s Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and Katie Simpson unpack the economic cost of war on Iran — and ask whether Americans seem willing to pay. 

Reactions to the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are mixed. Members of Congress are accusing President Donald Trump of starting an illegal war, questioning why he failed to seek congressional approval ahead of the strikes. Meanwhile, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the military intervention will follow 'no stupid rules of engagement.' The operation has put U.S. allies in a tricky position. Many — including Canada — have said there is some validity in targeting Iranian nuclear sites. But how far does that support go?

With all eyes on the Middle East, CBC’s Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Paul Hunter and Katie Simpson walk us through what has become yet another way Trump is testing his executive powers.

Clocking in at 108 minutes, U.S. President Donald Trump's state of the union address was the longest in U.S. history, with the only mention of Canada coming during a tribute to the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. It’s all part of the 'U.S. is winning' message Trump is trying to push ahead of November's midterm elections. But is it working?

The CBC's Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry unpack what it all means for the year ahead in U.S. politics and Canada-U.S. relations.

Mark Wiseman made his debut as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. this week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. He starts the post in a complicated time for Canadian-U.S. relations, taking over from Kirsten Hillman, a stable presence and a dogged negotiator for Canada since her appointment in 2020. So what will this changing of the guard mean for Canada?

CBC’s Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry take a look at what role the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. plays in Washington and how much power Wiseman and others have to actually move the needle with the Trump administration.

Did you catch the jeers? When U.S. Vice-President JD Vance was booed at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, it was not the welcome Americans are used to receiving on the global stage. 

It’s not just at the Olympics. President Donald Trump seems fixated on bridges – both burning those that have historically existed between allies and blocking physical ones, like his threat to block the opening of a bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. 

With everything that’s happening, is the American brand taking a hit on the international stage? And what are the consequences when Canada’s cultural cachet seems to be on the rise? CBC’s Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter explore.

Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump started his ‘51st state’ rhetoric, Canadians have been parsing every word to discern what's real and what’s bluster.

Last week, the White House was back at it, threatening tariffs on Bombardier and aircraft made in Canada. And Prime Minister Mark Carney was warned by the U.S. Treasury Secretary not to ‘pick a fight’ ahead of CUSMA trade negotiations. 

When it comes to the Trump administration’s trolling comments and tariff threats, how can Canadians know what to take seriously? CBC Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dig in.

Could the unrest in Minneapolis be the political tipping point Donald Trump never saw coming?

This week, the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown — U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino — is being pulled out of Minneapolis, replaced by border czar Tom Homan. The shift comes just days after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents, a second killing captured on video that sparked large protests in Minnesota and other U.S. cities, and fuelled calls in Washington to withhold funding from the Department of Homeland Security.

CBC’s Katie Simpson, reporting from Minnesota since the weekend, joins Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry to unpack the human toll, the political consequences — and what this moment could mean for both Trump’s broader immigration strategy and his 2026 prospects. From unrest on the streets of Minneapolis to tariff threats aimed at Canada, this episode explores whether a crisis on the ground could become a turning point in U.S. politics.

The U.S. demands for Greenland ramped up this week, with President Donald Trump threatening new tariffs against EU countries that oppose his plan. Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back in a speech at Davos – calling for a rethinking of alliances, warning that 'great powers' are using economic integration as 'weapons.'

What does this moment reveal about where Canada-U.S. relations are headed? 

CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry dig into the president’s latest moves on Greenland, the impact on NATO and where this leaves Canada as a neighbour and key trading partner.

What do you want to know about how American politics affects Canada? Connect with us at washingtonpod@cbc.ca

Three days into the new year, the U.S. attacked Venezuela and removed President Nicolás Maduro. Threats against Colombia, Mexico, Greenland and Iran followed. Has U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to put 'America First' morphed into a foreign policy of imperialism and expansion? And if so, what does it mean for Canada? Fresh off reporting from the Venezuelan border, Paul Hunter joins fellow CBC correspondents Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry in the CBC’s Washington bureau — Two Blocks from the White House — to talk about America’s aggressive international relations.

What you want to know about how American politics affects Canada? Connect with us at washingtonpod@cbc.ca

It’s always been prudent for Canadians to keep an eye on American politics. And with U.S. president Donald Trump back in the White House, it’s become essential. CBC’s Washington correspondents are here to cut through the noise and help make sense of it all. Fresh episodes and analysis every Wednesday, starting Jan. 14.